Description
Created as a SIG Sauer Mastershop design study for the 2018 IWA Show, this Prototype P226 X-Five represents a moment where engineering precision crossed into experimental artistry. Conceived to explore new visual and tactile possibilities, this pistol was never intended as a production model; it exists as a singular expression of what the Mastershop could achieve when freed from convention.
The defining feature is the “3 Dimensions” slide treatment, a complex, multi-directional geometric serration pattern that changes character as light moves across its surface. From sharp linear cuts to deep, sculpted diamond textures, the slide becomes a study in depth, motion, and surface interaction, demonstrating advanced machining techniques rather than mere decoration.
Chambered in 9mm, the pistol retains the proven X-Five foundation while elevating every visible surface. The slide and frame wear a uniform matte finish that highlights the precision of the machining, while rich walnut grips add warmth and contrast, grounding the technical aesthetic with traditional materials. All factory markings are clean, crisp, and matching, reinforcing its prototype integrity.
According to the original Mastershop documentation, this pistol was built specifically to showcase new design possibilities, particularly the structural treatment of slide serrations, and reflects SIG Sauer’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking design. It stands not only as a firearm, but as a physical record of an idea made real.
Rare by intent and preserved with its original Mastershop letter, the Prototype SIG P226 X-Five “3 Dimensions” occupies a space few modern pistols reach: part engineering study, part functional sculpture, and entirely collectible.
